Bursaspor sign Bangura as trio pen new deals

Bursaspor have signed Sierra Leone forward Teteh Bangura from AIK Solna for an undisclosed club record fee.

The 21-year-old has agreed a contract running until summer 2016 with last season's third-placed Turkish side. It is a boost for Bursaspor, whose key players Volkan Şen, Ozan İpek and Sercan Yıldırım have extended their contracts to 2012, 2013 and 2015 respectively ahead of their UEFA Europa League play-off against RSC Anderlecht on 18 and 25 August.

Bangura broke through at Kallon FC in his homeland and spent time in the United States with Cleveland City Stars and Cascade Surge before a July 2010 switch to Sweden's Köping FF, for whom he scored at better than a goal a game. That prompted a January move to AIK − where he played alongside unrelated former Kallon colleague Mohamed Bangura − and a further 15 goals in 17 league appearances.

"I'm proud to be here," said Bangura, who won his first international cap earlier this year. "I can't wait for the start of the league. I chose Bursaspor because the directors showed they really wanted to see me in the squad. They watched my games and treated me so well. Despite receiving several offers from England, I told my agent I wanted to go to Turkey."

Bursaspor vice-president Haluk Özkıyıcı added: "It's the highest transfer fee paid for a player in the club's history. Everybody is aware of Bangura's career. I hope he continues his goalscoring talents at Bursaspor as well."